Hello
A couple of visits to Harrington Airfield today provided views of a Redstart, 2 Whinchats, a Spotted Flycatcher and two Turtle Doves.
At Pitsford Res today there was a ringing session in the Walgrave Bay which produced about thirty birds, the best probably being singles of Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler. Birds noted on the reserve included a Hobby and a Spotted Flycatcher.
This evening birds on view from the vicinity of the Sailing Club at Pitsford Res included the two Ruddy Shelduck still, a Mandarin Duck, a Ruff, two Common Sandpipers, three Yellow-legged Gulls, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull and four Swifts.
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 27 August 2014
County images
Hello
Some local images from Robin Gossage - all taken in the county during the last few days (please see below)...
My thanks to Robin for sharing these with us.
Regards
Neil M
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| Red Fox Summer Leys Nature Reserve |
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| Little Egret Summer Leys Nature Reserve |
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| Vulcan and escort over Harrington Airfield |
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| Wheatear Harrington Airfield |
Tuesday 26 August 2014
Weather birds
Apologies for late blog, computer problems !!
I managed to spend most of the day out birding, dog walking and dodging the showers !
During my first wet walk of the day in the valley below Hanging Houghton, a group of 5 Greenshank flew over heading towards Brixworth.
I decided to walk the two young dogs around the south side of Pitsford Reservoir, hoping that the drizzle and winds would produce some birds. One of the first birds I noticed was a Woodpigeon sitting on one of the picnic tables . Nothing unusual in that you might think ? But it was sitting in an elongated pose looking skyward and as I followed it's gaze and saw a female Peregrine Falcon circling around. Minutes later the gulls flushed up in a panic and I assumed that it was the Peregrine.......wrong, it was an Osprey.
I continued my walk round and saw a Garganey and a colour ringed [green on right and red on left leg] Little Egret near Pintail Bay.
A juvenile Arctic Tern was near the sailing club and a Ruff and a Sanderling on the shoreline near the Grange Bay.
On the long stretch from the Grange Bay to Catwalk Bay there were at least 4 Little Egrets, the Bar-headed Goose, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, a Whinchat, a Curlew flying over calling and a male Merlin. Finally there were 2 Common Sandpiper on the causeway.
After popping home to grab a cuppa and swap dogs I headed off to Harrington Airfield where it was obvious that there had been quite a fall of birds. I only walked along the "rough strip around the bunkers" and notched up Redstart, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroats and a Ring Ouzel. There was a large mixed flock of birds moving through the bushes from the first to middle bunker.
The Turtle Doves were flying around the bushes and as I stood around at the end bunker a Curlew flew over calling and a male Merlin flew through. I wondered whether these were the same birds I had seen earlier in the day at Pitsford ?
There were also numerous Red Kites, Kestrel and Common Buzzard loafing around the recently harvested fields.
Butterflies included several Clouded Yellow including one of the 'Helica' form.
Regards
Eleanor
I managed to spend most of the day out birding, dog walking and dodging the showers !
During my first wet walk of the day in the valley below Hanging Houghton, a group of 5 Greenshank flew over heading towards Brixworth.
I decided to walk the two young dogs around the south side of Pitsford Reservoir, hoping that the drizzle and winds would produce some birds. One of the first birds I noticed was a Woodpigeon sitting on one of the picnic tables . Nothing unusual in that you might think ? But it was sitting in an elongated pose looking skyward and as I followed it's gaze and saw a female Peregrine Falcon circling around. Minutes later the gulls flushed up in a panic and I assumed that it was the Peregrine.......wrong, it was an Osprey.
I continued my walk round and saw a Garganey and a colour ringed [green on right and red on left leg] Little Egret near Pintail Bay.
A juvenile Arctic Tern was near the sailing club and a Ruff and a Sanderling on the shoreline near the Grange Bay.
On the long stretch from the Grange Bay to Catwalk Bay there were at least 4 Little Egrets, the Bar-headed Goose, 2 Ruddy Shelduck, a Whinchat, a Curlew flying over calling and a male Merlin. Finally there were 2 Common Sandpiper on the causeway.
After popping home to grab a cuppa and swap dogs I headed off to Harrington Airfield where it was obvious that there had been quite a fall of birds. I only walked along the "rough strip around the bunkers" and notched up Redstart, Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroats and a Ring Ouzel. There was a large mixed flock of birds moving through the bushes from the first to middle bunker.
The Turtle Doves were flying around the bushes and as I stood around at the end bunker a Curlew flew over calling and a male Merlin flew through. I wondered whether these were the same birds I had seen earlier in the day at Pitsford ?
There were also numerous Red Kites, Kestrel and Common Buzzard loafing around the recently harvested fields.
Butterflies included several Clouded Yellow including one of the 'Helica' form.
Regards
Eleanor
Stortons Ringing
Hello
A short ringing session took place at Stortons GP this evening targeting Swallows. Thirty-two Swallows were caught and ringed, a combination of juveniles and adults. Other birds caught and ringed included a juvenile male Sparrowhawk, three Reed Warblers, a Whitethroat and a Wren.
Other birds noted included an adult male Peregrine, a Little Egret and four Swifts.
Regards
Neil M
A short ringing session took place at Stortons GP this evening targeting Swallows. Thirty-two Swallows were caught and ringed, a combination of juveniles and adults. Other birds caught and ringed included a juvenile male Sparrowhawk, three Reed Warblers, a Whitethroat and a Wren.
Other birds noted included an adult male Peregrine, a Little Egret and four Swifts.
Regards
Neil M
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| Sparrowhawk Courtesy of Chris Payne |
Monday 25 August 2014
Wet Bank Holiday Monday!
Hello
Excursions out today ensured we were always going to become somewhat wet, and birding is always a little more challenging in very wet conditions.
This morning Eleanor wandered around the complex at Harrington Airfield and connected with the Redstart by the first bunker, the 'cream-crown' Marsh Harrier and two Turtle Doves. Nearby there were three Grey Wagtails at Brixworth Sewer works.
At Pitsford Res, at least three Red-crested Pochard and a Goldeneye and a Common Sandpiper were in the Scaldwell Bay. Two Redstarts were in a field hedge between the village of Old and the reservoir boundary fence. In the late afternoon, birds visible near to the dam included a couple of Little Egrets, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a juvenile Ruff and a juvenile Arctic Tern.
Regards
Neil M
Excursions out today ensured we were always going to become somewhat wet, and birding is always a little more challenging in very wet conditions.
This morning Eleanor wandered around the complex at Harrington Airfield and connected with the Redstart by the first bunker, the 'cream-crown' Marsh Harrier and two Turtle Doves. Nearby there were three Grey Wagtails at Brixworth Sewer works.
At Pitsford Res, at least three Red-crested Pochard and a Goldeneye and a Common Sandpiper were in the Scaldwell Bay. Two Redstarts were in a field hedge between the village of Old and the reservoir boundary fence. In the late afternoon, birds visible near to the dam included a couple of Little Egrets, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a juvenile Ruff and a juvenile Arctic Tern.
Regards
Neil M
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| Ruff Pitsford Res |
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| This Great Tit was captured at Pitsford reservoir yesterday. This species seems to be regularly afflicted with growths, sometimes to the head and often along the flanks and breast. On this occasion the growths are affecting it's left eye to the point where it may eventually lose sight, and the right eye also exhibited a very small growth. Local ringers have reported similar issues with both Dunnock and Bullfinch in recent days, each time the head and eye being affected. Another Great Tit seen yesterday exhibited large bulbous growths on it's flanks. For the most part these birds seem to live a normal if somewhat shortened life to the point whereby it is unusual to see such afflicted birds by the following spring. |
Sunday 24 August 2014
Pitsford Ringing
Hello
Sustained efforts at ringing at Pitsford Reservoir during the week-end has resulted in the capture of some 215 birds. Forty-one Tree Sparrows were caught (thirty-six were new juveniles) suggesting that this species locally seems to have enjoyed a reasonable breeding season. Warblers included 16 Reed Warblers, 7 Sedge Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff and 7 Willow Warblers.
The star bird was a first year male Redstart trapped in the Scaldwell Bay (see images below). Other birds included 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails, a Marsh Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Other birds noted at Pitsford Res today included an adult Yellow-legged Gull, several Little Egrets, 1-2 Common Sandpiper(s) and a Spotted Flycatcher.
At Harrington Airfield this morning birds noted included a Redstart by the first bunker, a Tree Pipit over south at 6.30am, a Wheatear and two Ravens. This afternoon Eleanor went on to locate a fine adult male Redstart and several Clouded Yellow butterflies in a field between Walgrave village and Pitsford Res.
Regards
Neil M
Sustained efforts at ringing at Pitsford Reservoir during the week-end has resulted in the capture of some 215 birds. Forty-one Tree Sparrows were caught (thirty-six were new juveniles) suggesting that this species locally seems to have enjoyed a reasonable breeding season. Warblers included 16 Reed Warblers, 7 Sedge Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff and 7 Willow Warblers.
The star bird was a first year male Redstart trapped in the Scaldwell Bay (see images below). Other birds included 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails, a Marsh Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Other birds noted at Pitsford Res today included an adult Yellow-legged Gull, several Little Egrets, 1-2 Common Sandpiper(s) and a Spotted Flycatcher.
At Harrington Airfield this morning birds noted included a Redstart by the first bunker, a Tree Pipit over south at 6.30am, a Wheatear and two Ravens. This afternoon Eleanor went on to locate a fine adult male Redstart and several Clouded Yellow butterflies in a field between Walgrave village and Pitsford Res.
Regards
Neil M
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| Redstart Courtesy of Chris Payne |
%2BYellow%2BWagtail.jpg) |
| Yellow Wagtail Courtesy of Simon Hales |
Saturday 23 August 2014
'Shrike hedge' delivers!
Hello
This afternoon a Raven was spotted soaring around quite high up between Brixworth and Pitsford Res.
In the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton this evening, new migrants included a Tree Pipit, two Redstarts, a Spotted Flycatcher, two Whinchats and good numbers of common warblers, most of these birds being in 'shrike hedge'.
This is a low, inauspicious field hedge which for some reason regularly attracts passage migrants, particularly chats, warblers, pipits and wagtails. One day there will be a shrike there (hence the name)! Oddly enough there was even a vocal Nuthatch 'out of habitat' in the loose bird flock there...
Regards
Neil M
This afternoon a Raven was spotted soaring around quite high up between Brixworth and Pitsford Res.
In the Brampton Valley between Cottesbrooke and Hanging Houghton this evening, new migrants included a Tree Pipit, two Redstarts, a Spotted Flycatcher, two Whinchats and good numbers of common warblers, most of these birds being in 'shrike hedge'.
This is a low, inauspicious field hedge which for some reason regularly attracts passage migrants, particularly chats, warblers, pipits and wagtails. One day there will be a shrike there (hence the name)! Oddly enough there was even a vocal Nuthatch 'out of habitat' in the loose bird flock there...
Regards
Neil M
Forest Holidays at Fineshade Wood - update
Hello again,
Following a period of relative calm, there has been a flurry of activity this week.
Firstly, on Wednesday there was an (unaccompanied) site visit from councillors on the planning committee who came to view both the Forest Holidays (FH) site and also the Glamping site. Residents were not allowed to talk to the councillors. The planning officer for the FH proposal was not present as he has been ill this week - they may therefore have only got as far as Top Lodge itself and not entered the wood at all. But they should have been able to see the problems with road access - probably the most easily understood problem for most councillors.
Secondly, also on Wednesday, three extra documents from FH appeared on the ENC website under 14/01156/FUL.
These are:
Final Ecological Report (104 pages inc, Appendices)Ecological Procedural Method Statement (7 pages)Habitat Management Plan (10 pages)
Most of you have already objected to the proposal but there may be extra information here which will warrant a second submission. Below this email are some interim comments from me that may help you decide whether you need to make another objection now. For those of you who have been keeping your powder dry so far, this may be the time to make your objection. We have asked East Northants planning department for a deadline date but all we can glean, in the absence of the planning officer, is a re-assurance that comments may be submitted up to the time of determination (whenever that may be!)
Thirdly and perhaps most urgently, a new Screening Opinion (SO) request in relation to this application has also been published this week (see EN/14/01573/SCR) and is marked as Pending Consideration. The new request applies to a larger area than that considered before, so it provides the planning officer with a new opportunity to rule that this application requires an Environmental Impact Assessment. His earlier decision against EIA was queried by many of us including East Northant's own ecological advisers, the local Wildlife Trust. The WT advice is published with this new SO request and it would be possible for you to make a comment to help the planning officer now. An easy direct way to do this is to make a short (less than 1000 characters) comment using the online facility on the website. (NB needs to be done on this EN/14/01573/SCR page). In forming his opinion the planning officer has to decide whether "this Schedule 2 development is likely to have significant effects on the environment" - perhaps worth remembering that planners see the environment as wider than simply ecological concerns. For example, one planning officer elsewhere argued that a FH development was worthy of EIA because "the proposals will introduce built form into the existing recreational woodland with the potential to change the character of the woodland". Sometimes the terms Environmental Impact Assessment - EIA- and Ecological Impact Statement EcIA are used )
Finally, as far as the Glamping proposal is concerned, no news may be good news: the applicant seems not to have provided the very substantial missing information from his application and without that it is almost impossible for ENC to grant the planning permission. Determination will apparently be sometime in September.
I hope all this makes sense - please do get back to me if any queries.
Best wishes for a very good bank-holiday weekend.
Barrie Galpin
barrie.galpin@zen.co.uk
Common Buzzard passage
Hello
This morning was dominated by an unprecedented passage of Common Buzzards over Harrington Airfield, first noticed at about 9am. An estimated hundred birds moved south in an hour, most of them skirting down the western edge of the complex and heading towards the Brampton Valley. 'Kettles' of birds included 18 at a time and on one horizontal scan it was possible to see 50 birds in the air at the same time. Although Common Buzzard passage has developed over the last ten years as the population has increased, this seems unusual inasmuch that it is very early in the autumn when many begging juveniles are clearly still reliant on the hunting skills of their parents to sustain them. Whether these birds are from further afield or are failed breeders etc is pure speculation but a remarkable local record in any event.
Other birds of note included c6 Red Kites, an adult male Merlin flying south at 9.15am, the 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier again and a Redstart on the airstrip between the chippings compound and first bunker.
At Pitsford Res this morning, three Red-crested Pochard were on show in the Scaldwell Bay which also hosted an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1-2 Common Sandpiper(s) and a Hobby.
Regards
Neil M
This morning was dominated by an unprecedented passage of Common Buzzards over Harrington Airfield, first noticed at about 9am. An estimated hundred birds moved south in an hour, most of them skirting down the western edge of the complex and heading towards the Brampton Valley. 'Kettles' of birds included 18 at a time and on one horizontal scan it was possible to see 50 birds in the air at the same time. Although Common Buzzard passage has developed over the last ten years as the population has increased, this seems unusual inasmuch that it is very early in the autumn when many begging juveniles are clearly still reliant on the hunting skills of their parents to sustain them. Whether these birds are from further afield or are failed breeders etc is pure speculation but a remarkable local record in any event.
Other birds of note included c6 Red Kites, an adult male Merlin flying south at 9.15am, the 'cream crown' Marsh Harrier again and a Redstart on the airstrip between the chippings compound and first bunker.
At Pitsford Res this morning, three Red-crested Pochard were on show in the Scaldwell Bay which also hosted an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1-2 Common Sandpiper(s) and a Hobby.
Regards
Neil M
Lamport migration
Hello
Eleanor toured the fields adjacent to Lamport Hall this morning and there was plenty of obvious migration on the go with a Spotted Flycatcher and an adult male Redstart in an old hedge, a Tree Pipit flying over in a south-east direction, a Grey Wagtail flying south-west and two Crossbills flying in to trees in the hall grounds.
Regards
Neil M
Eleanor toured the fields adjacent to Lamport Hall this morning and there was plenty of obvious migration on the go with a Spotted Flycatcher and an adult male Redstart in an old hedge, a Tree Pipit flying over in a south-east direction, a Grey Wagtail flying south-west and two Crossbills flying in to trees in the hall grounds.
Regards
Neil M
Friday 22 August 2014
Martins and wagtails
Hello
An evening conducting some bird ringing near to the dam at Pitsford Res led to the capture and ringing of a Swallow, a House Martin, three Sand Martins, two Pied Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and singles of Robin, Linnet, Goldfinch and Moorhen. Three Grey Wagtails, about a dozen Yellow Wagtails and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were in the same area and earlier four Red-crested Pochard and two Common Sandpipers were noted in the Scaldwell Bay.
Regards
Neil M
An evening conducting some bird ringing near to the dam at Pitsford Res led to the capture and ringing of a Swallow, a House Martin, three Sand Martins, two Pied Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and singles of Robin, Linnet, Goldfinch and Moorhen. Three Grey Wagtails, about a dozen Yellow Wagtails and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were in the same area and earlier four Red-crested Pochard and two Common Sandpipers were noted in the Scaldwell Bay.
Regards
Neil M
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| Sand Martin |
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| House Martin All images courtesy of Chris Payne. |
Harrington Friday morning
Hello
A circuit around Harrington Airfield this morning was pleasant with a warmish autumnal breeze and lazy sunshine.
A Meadow Pipit was likely to have been a migrant and no doubt the precursor to the usual large movements in most autumns of this species through the county.
Small numbers of common warblers were busy in the bushes and an elusive Redstart was on the old airstrip in bushes between the second and third bunkers. Up to eight Red Kites patrolled the skies and the two Ravens enjoyed a little skirmish with a couple of them.
Regards
Neil M
A circuit around Harrington Airfield this morning was pleasant with a warmish autumnal breeze and lazy sunshine.
A Meadow Pipit was likely to have been a migrant and no doubt the precursor to the usual large movements in most autumns of this species through the county.
Small numbers of common warblers were busy in the bushes and an elusive Redstart was on the old airstrip in bushes between the second and third bunkers. Up to eight Red Kites patrolled the skies and the two Ravens enjoyed a little skirmish with a couple of them.
Regards
Neil M
Thursday's birds
Hello
Apologies for the late posting which refers to birds on Thursday 21st Aug...
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res in the morning followed on from efforts the previous evening and resulted in the total capture of 90 birds. This total included a female Sparrowhawk, three Kingfishers, 13 Wrens, 10 Bullfinches, 9 Robins, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, a Reed Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher. Extra birds caught near the dam during the evening included 5 House Martins, a Sand Martin, a Swallow and a Pied Wagtail.
A Hobby was in the Scaldwell Bay this morning and there was one worrying the martins by the dam in the evening. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only larid of interest.
Harrington Airfield in the morning hosted two Ravens and two Turtle Doves and there were again two Ravens around Hanging Houghton village.
Regards
Neil M
Apologies for the late posting which refers to birds on Thursday 21st Aug...
A ringing session in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res in the morning followed on from efforts the previous evening and resulted in the total capture of 90 birds. This total included a female Sparrowhawk, three Kingfishers, 13 Wrens, 10 Bullfinches, 9 Robins, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, a Reed Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher. Extra birds caught near the dam during the evening included 5 House Martins, a Sand Martin, a Swallow and a Pied Wagtail.
A Hobby was in the Scaldwell Bay this morning and there was one worrying the martins by the dam in the evening. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was the only larid of interest.
Harrington Airfield in the morning hosted two Ravens and two Turtle Doves and there were again two Ravens around Hanging Houghton village.
Regards
Neil M
Wednesday 20 August 2014
Migration is back on!
Hello
Today was the first day of several planned days of bird ringing at Pitsford Reservoir, extending in to the week-end.
The initial session was in the Walgrave Bay and then at locations in the Scaldwell Bay and at the Old Scaldwell Road by Maytrees Hide in the late afternoon/evening.
Eighty birds were processed in the Walgrave Bay with no surprises but some good numbers of common warblers and tits in particular. It was a similar story in the back of the Scaldwell Bay, but with the Old Scaldwell Road location also producing three new Moorhens and a Yellow Wagtail.
An Osprey fished the reserve for over thirty minutes from 5pm, before finally catching it's trout supper!
Other birds noted included at least four Red-crested Pochard, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, several Little Egrets, the two Black Swans still pus a Grey Wagtail and a Tree Pipit over. A Wheatear was on adjacent farmland to the west of the Walgrave Bay.
At Harrington Airfield this morning there were two Wheatears but little else.
This afternoon there was an apparent fall of migrants in the Brampton Valley and in particular around Blueberry Farm which hosted three Redstarts (including two stunning males), two Whinchats and a Tree Pipit on the ground. Raptors included the same summering cream-crown Marsh Harrier and the seemingly now regular female Peregrine. Two further Whinchats were in a field near to the Brampton Valley Way below Hanging Houghton village.
Regards
Neil M
Today was the first day of several planned days of bird ringing at Pitsford Reservoir, extending in to the week-end.
The initial session was in the Walgrave Bay and then at locations in the Scaldwell Bay and at the Old Scaldwell Road by Maytrees Hide in the late afternoon/evening.
Eighty birds were processed in the Walgrave Bay with no surprises but some good numbers of common warblers and tits in particular. It was a similar story in the back of the Scaldwell Bay, but with the Old Scaldwell Road location also producing three new Moorhens and a Yellow Wagtail.
An Osprey fished the reserve for over thirty minutes from 5pm, before finally catching it's trout supper!
Other birds noted included at least four Red-crested Pochard, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, several Little Egrets, the two Black Swans still pus a Grey Wagtail and a Tree Pipit over. A Wheatear was on adjacent farmland to the west of the Walgrave Bay.
At Harrington Airfield this morning there were two Wheatears but little else.
This afternoon there was an apparent fall of migrants in the Brampton Valley and in particular around Blueberry Farm which hosted three Redstarts (including two stunning males), two Whinchats and a Tree Pipit on the ground. Raptors included the same summering cream-crown Marsh Harrier and the seemingly now regular female Peregrine. Two further Whinchats were in a field near to the Brampton Valley Way below Hanging Houghton village.
Regards
Neil M
Ravensthorpe insects...
Hello
Gary Burrows kindly forwarded some images through of some insects he located on the dam at Ravensthorpe Reservoir yesterday.
Three Clouded Yellow butterflies were finding the meadow-like conditions to their liking as were more common small butterflies...
My thanks to Gary for his colourful contribution!
Regards
Neil M
Gary Burrows kindly forwarded some images through of some insects he located on the dam at Ravensthorpe Reservoir yesterday.
Three Clouded Yellow butterflies were finding the meadow-like conditions to their liking as were more common small butterflies...
My thanks to Gary for his colourful contribution!
Regards
Neil M
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| Common Blue |
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| Common Darter |
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| Clouded Yellow |
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| Small Copper |
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